TRENTON — The statewide devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy prompted Gov. Chris Christie on the morning of Halloween to use his constitutional authority to reschedule the Oct. 31 holiday to Monday, Nov. 5, but Trenton and other New Jersey municipalities aren’t following the governor’s executive order.

“The guidance we’re giving all towns is to postpone their celebrations until Monday,” said Kevin Roberts, a spokesperson for Christie. “We believe that much time is necessary to ensure conditions are safe enough for towns to take part in them. Compliance with the order is a local matter, but it’s one we feel is necessary to ensure that Halloween celebrations happen in way that is enjoyable and safe for children.”

Hurricane Sandy barreled toward New Jersey on Oct. 28, striking the state on Oct. 29 as a “super storm” of high winds and torrential rains that “produced unprecedented severe weather conditions, including enormous storm surges and devastating flooding,” according to Christie’s executive order.

“The hazardous conditions created by Hurricane Sandy make the traditional community celebrations of Halloween, including neighborhood ‘trick-or-treating’ walks both dangerous to our state’s children, and imprudent at a time when all New Jerseyans are struggling to cope with their losses,” Christie said in his order.

On Wednesday, the Mercer County municipalities of Trenton, Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township and Pennington affirmed they will celebrate Halloween on Saturday, Nov. 3, not Nov. 5 as Christie ordered.

“Saturday affords us a better opportunity for a family day during the day and early evening,” Hopewell Borough Mayor Paul Anzano said on Wednesday in explaining why his borough will host Halloween on Saturday rather than next Monday.

But Christie’s executive leadership proved persuasive for some communities.

The governor’s order prompted West Windsor on Wednesday to change its Halloween plans. Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh originally announced West Windsor would have Halloween on Nov. 3 but later said he agrees with Christie’s order and will comply with it.

Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann, after consulting with his emergency management and public works advisers, on Tuesday made the call to celebrate Halloween Nov. 3. But when Christie issued the order on Wednesday, that prompted Steinmann to consider going with the Nov. 5 date, instead, according to Steinmann.

Steinmann said he wished Christie issued the executive order before Oct. 31 but praised Christie’s leadership during the storm crisis. “I believe the governor is doing a fantastic job in managing the storm crisis for the state of New Jersey,” Steinmann said of Christie on Wednesday.

In terms of Halloween, “I’m willing to consider doing it on Nov. 5 but will consult with my people and make a phone call with all my residents and try to make it uniform with New Jersey,” Steinmann said.

The issue of concern is that Nov. 5 comes after daylight saving time ends — meaning the sun will set about 5 p.m. — and Monday is a school day, Steinmann said. He said 90 percent of Ewing resident are projected to have electrical power restored by Friday and that he is “very confident” Ewing Township could host a safe and enjoyable Halloween on Saturday.

To end any confusion, Steinmann said he will soon put out a message on whether Ewing will keep Halloween set for Nov. 3 or move it to Nov. 5 to be consistent with Christie’s order.

Princeton Township and Princeton Borough on Wednesday advised Princetonians to not go out for traditional Halloween activities on Oct. 31 “due to treacherous conditions. The roads remain unsafe, many are without lights, power lines are down and trees and other obstructions persist over many of our roadways. We urge residents to remain in place and will work with the school district to announce any other alternative Halloween plans in the days ahead.”

The Mercer County communities of East Windsor, Hamilton, Hightstown, Lawrence, Robbinsville and West Windsor on Wednesday confirmed they are celebrating Halloween on Nov. 5 to comply with Christie’s order.